Special thanks to RrJ, Ashton Jackson, Deshaun. Thank you for the Support
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The sun had barely risen, and the city below was still stretching out, preparing for the chaos that would soon fill its streets. Ethan stood by the window of Peter's apartment, looking out at the sprawling city. New York was a city that never truly rested, and it felt like a fitting metaphor for their current situation. There was always something going on, always something threatening to pull them under if they weren't careful.
Peter was hunched over his desk, his face illuminated by the soft glow of his laptop. The room was silent except for the faint tapping of keys. Ethan knew that Peter was focused, but there was a deep sense of unease in the air, the kind that lingered after a storm had passed but before the calm set in.
The events of the past few days had turned their world upside down. MJ's visit, though initially just an awkward surprise, had only added another layer of complexity to their lives. But that wasn't the only thing weighing on Peter's mind. Gwen was. Ethan could tell from the way Peter had been acting lately. It wasn't just about fighting crime anymore—it was about the future, too.
Gwen Stacy was Peter's girlfriend, and from what Ethan had observed, their relationship was something special. She wasn't just a partner in crime-fighting; she was the one person who knew about Peter's double life. That kind of trust didn't come easily. And yet, there was more to it than that. Peter had been talking about proposing to her for a while now, though he hadn't told anyone about it yet. The thought seemed to weigh on him—like a ticking clock, reminding him that time was slipping away.
Ethan sighed, shifting his weight. He needed to keep focused. They couldn't afford to get distracted by personal matters, not when Fisk was still out there pulling strings behind the scenes.
"Peter," Ethan said, breaking the silence, "we need to get serious about Fisk. We can't keep running in circles."
Peter didn't look up, but his fingers stopped typing. "I know. I've been thinking the same thing. But we're still missing the pieces to the puzzle. We've got leads, but no solid proof. Fisk is good at covering his tracks."
Ethan crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Peter. "I get that, but we need something concrete. Otherwise, this is all just speculation. We can't afford to let him slip through our fingers again."
Peter let out a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. "I know, trust me. But I have a plan. There's a guy—Frank Castle. He's been making a name for himself, taking down people connected to Fisk. He's a wildcard, but he might know something."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "The Punisher?"
Peter nodded. "Yeah. I've avoided getting involved with him because of his... methods, but right now, we need someone who isn't afraid to do whatever it takes. Frank's not concerned with the law—he's focused on getting the job done, and that's exactly what we need."
Ethan didn't respond immediately. Frank Castle, aka The Punisher, was a ruthless vigilante who had a reputation for making his enemies disappear. Ethan had heard rumors about the Punisher's past, and none of it was pretty. Still, if he was the key to bringing down Fisk, they didn't have a choice.
"We'll need to be careful, though," Ethan said. "We don't know what he's capable of, or how he'll react to us. If we approach him wrong, we could end up as his next target."
Peter turned to face him, his expression serious. "I get it. But right now, he's our best shot. We'll track him down, see if we can get any info out of him. We just need to make sure we don't piss him off too much."
Ethan was about to respond when Peter's phone buzzed on the desk, interrupting the conversation. Peter glanced at the screen before picking it up.
"Hey, Gwen," Peter said, his voice softening. "What's up?"
Ethan's eyes briefly flicked to Peter as he spoke to Gwen. He'd seen how their relationship had developed over the last few months. Gwen wasn't just Peter's girlfriend—she was a partner in every sense of the word. She helped him with the legal side of his app, provided support when things got tough, and, perhaps most importantly, she knew his secret. Gwen was the one person who understood the pressure Peter was under.
"Everything okay?" Peter asked, a slight smile creeping onto his face. "Yeah, I'm just working on a few things. I'll be done soon."
Ethan leaned back against the wall, giving Peter some space to talk. He had a feeling Peter wanted to keep some things private, especially when it came to Gwen. They had their own dynamic, and it was clear that Peter had been planning something for the future. Ethan had caught him mumbling about proposals a few times, but he wasn't about to bring that up.
Peter ended the call and sighed, putting the phone back on the desk. "Gwen's handling some legal stuff for the app. She'll be back later."
Ethan nodded. "Good. You've got someone who can help you keep everything together. You're lucky, man."
Peter gave him a small, almost wistful smile. "Yeah. I know. I don't take it for granted." His smile faded as he looked back at the laptop. "But we can't afford to waste time. If we're going to bring Fisk down, we need to stay focused."
Ethan agreed. They had a mission, and everything else would have to wait. "Right. So, what's the next move?"
Peter stood up from the desk, running a hand through his hair again. "We're going to find Frank Castle. He's been hitting some of Fisk's warehouses, and I've got a few ideas where he might be. We can start there, see if he's got anything useful."
Ethan nodded. "I'll take the ground level. You stay on the rooftops and keep an eye out. If we find him, we'll meet up and figure out our next steps."
Peter looked at him, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Just be careful, alright? Don't get yourself killed. We've got bigger things to deal with."
Ethan smirked. "You too, Pete. You're the one who's always getting into trouble."
Peter shot him a grin. "It's my thing."
Ethan pushed himself off the wall and grabbed his jacket. "Alright, let's get to work. We've got a Punisher to find."
Peter nodded and quickly suited up in his Spider-Man costume, disappearing into the shadows of the apartment. Ethan followed suit, slipping into his own outfit, feeling the familiar weight of his gear settle against his skin. They were ready to face whatever came next. Fisk's empire wasn't going to take itself down.
As the two of them headed out, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to get even more complicated. But that was nothing new. In their world, complications were just part of the job. And as long as they had each other's backs, they could handle whatever Fisk—or anyone else—threw at them.
Ethan felt the weight of his gear on his body as they stepped out into the streets of New York. The city was waking up, the first light of dawn casting long shadows across the pavement. Peter was already a few steps ahead, blending into the bustling city as Spider-Man. Ethan followed, his movements a little slower, but no less deliberate. He couldn't help but feel the pull of the mission that lay ahead, the urgency of it gnawing at him.
The plan was simple—find Frank Castle, get him talking, and extract information about Fisk's inner workings. But even simple plans had a way of getting complicated in their line of work. There were always variables. The kind of variables that could end up getting people hurt. Or worse.
"Peter," Ethan said, keeping his voice low but firm as they made their way through the back alleys, staying out of sight. "We're going in blind. We don't know where Castle's been or who he's pissed off along the way. This could get messy."
Peter glanced back at him, his mask hiding most of his expression, but his eyes—those were a window to his thoughts. "I know. But we don't have a choice. Fisk is too big, too connected. The only way to take him down is to start from the bottom, from people like Castle. He's already making moves on Fisk's turf."
Ethan nodded, his thoughts aligning with Peter's. The problem with Fisk was his reach. He controlled so many aspects of the city that it was nearly impossible to track down every criminal he had a hand in. But someone like Frank Castle? He was a wildcard, a loose cannon that could prove useful in the chaos. He didn't have any ties to Fisk's infrastructure—he was just out there, making a mess and leaving a trail of destruction.
"We just need to find him before anyone else does," Ethan muttered, quickening his pace as they neared a quieter part of the city.
Peter led them through a narrow, graffiti-covered alley, his senses alert to any sign of danger. The sound of distant sirens echoed through the streets, a reminder of the city's constant state of unrest. But it was the silence of this alley that told him they were getting closer. Something about this place felt like the calm before a storm.
"Here," Peter said suddenly, stopping in front of a crumbling building. He glanced around, ensuring no one was watching, before he pointed to the darkened doorway. "This is where we start. Castle's been seen in this area a few times. I've got a feeling we're getting close."
Ethan eyed the building warily. It wasn't much to look at—just another abandoned warehouse, its windows boarded up, the door hanging ajar like a trap waiting to snap shut. This was the kind of place that attracted the worst of the worst. The kind of place where people like Castle could hide in plain sight.
"Let's go," Ethan said, his voice steady. "But we need to be ready for anything. Frank Castle doesn't exactly play by the rules."
Peter nodded, his hand on his web-shooters, ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. They both knew the risks. But that's what they did. They fought against the odds, day after day, hoping to make the world just a little bit safer.
As they approached the building, the door creaked open, revealing the dim interior. The air inside was thick with the smell of dust and mildew, the kind of smell that reminded Ethan of places long abandoned by the world. But in the back of his mind, he knew they weren't alone. There was a presence here. They were being watched.
Peter's eyes darted to the shadows, his spider-sense tingling in warning. "Someone's here."
Ethan didn't need to hear the warning. He could feel it too—the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end. There was something off about this place. It wasn't just the oppressive silence. It was the fact that someone was waiting for them.
"I'll take the high ground," Peter said, his voice barely above a whisper as he vanished into the shadows.
Ethan gave a quick nod, his hand gripping the hilt of his weapon. He wasn't sure what was waiting for them inside, but he knew one thing for sure—there was no turning back now.
He stepped inside, his boots silent on the cracked concrete floor. The air was thick, the darkness oppressive. He could barely make out the outlines of crates and barrels scattered around the room, but he knew they weren't alone. Not anymore.
A voice broke the silence, gruff and low. "You're not the first to come looking for me."
Ethan's heart rate spiked as he spun around, his weapon at the ready. But there, standing in the shadows, was Frank Castle. The Punisher. His face was grim, the cold steel of his body armor gleaming faintly in the dim light. He wasn't surprised to see them. In fact, he seemed almost... expectant.
Ethan's grip tightened on his weapon. "We're not here to fight. We just need information."
Castle stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he studied them both. "Information, huh?" He chuckled darkly. "And what makes you think I'll help you?"
Peter's voice suddenly rang out from above, his figure silhouetted against the flickering light. "Because you owe Fisk some payback, and we're the ones giving it to you."
Castle didn't flinch, his gaze fixed on Peter. "I don't take orders from anyone, kid. Least of all someone who thinks they can take down Fisk."
Ethan took a step forward, keeping his tone calm. "We're not here to fight you, Frank. We're here to make sure Fisk doesn't get away with what he's done. All we need from you is information."
For a long moment, Castle said nothing. His gaze flickered between Ethan and Peter, weighing them both as if deciding whether they were worth his time. Finally, he spoke.
"Alright. But if I'm going to help you, you better be ready to do things my way."
Ethan exchanged a glance with Peter. This was it. The plan was in motion. And there was no turning back.
The silence that followed Castle's words was thick with unspoken tension. It was the kind of silence that let you know things were about to get real—one way or another.
Ethan adjusted his stance, feeling the weight of his mission settle in his chest. The stakes were high. But Frank Castle? Frank Castle was a wildcard. You couldn't predict him. Not the way you could with some of the others they'd tangled with. This wasn't a guy who played by any rules, let alone the ones Peter and Ethan were used to.
Peter, still perched high on a beam, swung down gracefully, landing softly on the floor beside Ethan. His eyes locked onto Castle, a silent understanding passing between them.
"Your way, huh?" Peter echoed, crossing his arms in that classic Spider-Man stance that exuded casual confidence. But Ethan could tell his friend was sizing up Castle in a way that made him feel... uneasy.
Castle looked from one to the other, his eyes scanning them with a sort of knowing intensity. "You've got a plan," he stated simply. "But it's not gonna be easy. Fisk's got eyes everywhere. You want to take him down, you're gonna need more than just information. You'll need muscle. And if you're asking me for help, you better be ready to do some dirty work."
Ethan couldn't help but smirk at the irony. Castle was talking about dirty work when he was known for being the embodiment of it. But he didn't say anything, keeping his cool. They needed Castle on their side, even if that meant getting their hands a little dirtier than they were comfortable with.
Peter nodded, his voice steady. "We're not afraid of getting our hands dirty. But we're not looking to go full Punisher on this. We need a plan that hits Fisk where it hurts—where he's vulnerable."
Castle's lip curled, an almost sadistic smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Vulnerable? Fisk doesn't have a vulnerability. He's got layers of protection, people he's paid off, people in power. You think you can just walk in and take him down? Hell, you're lucky you've lasted this long without getting yourselves killed."
Ethan stepped forward, keeping his tone calm but firm. "We didn't come here to waste time, Castle. We came here to put an end to Fisk's empire. And you're either part of the solution... or part of the problem."
Castle's eyes flickered, an unreadable expression passing over his face. He didn't say anything for a few seconds, which only made Ethan more nervous. The guy was dangerous, unpredictable, but he wasn't stupid. He knew what was at stake.
Finally, Castle broke the silence. "Alright, kid. Here's the deal. I've got some dirt on Fisk, stuff that could bring him down. But getting it to the right people isn't as easy as walking into a courthouse and handing them a folder. You want this information? You're gonna have to go through the fire with me."
Ethan exchanged a glance with Peter, who nodded. Castle was right—nothing in their world was ever easy. But they didn't have time for easy. They needed action, and they needed it fast.
Castle turned and started walking toward the far side of the warehouse, where a few crates were stacked haphazardly. As he approached, he moved with the kind of precision Ethan had only seen in the most seasoned soldiers—calculating, efficient, and always ready for anything.
Peter followed after him, his curiosity piqued. "What are you thinking?"
Castle didn't answer immediately, instead pulling open one of the crates to reveal a stack of old files. The contents weren't what Ethan had expected—a few old papers, some photographs. Nothing flashy. But Castle wasn't in the business of leaving behind digital footprints, and everything in that crate was a piece of the puzzle.
"What's this?" Peter asked, moving to look over Castle's shoulder.
Castle tossed the top file over to Peter, who caught it effortlessly. "Fisk's dirty little secrets," Castle explained. "Bribed officials, shady deals, people he's bought off. But there's more. People he's had killed. People who were too close to his operations. And they're all connected."
Peter flipped through the file, his brow furrowing. "This is... this is the kind of stuff that could bring him down. But we can't just walk into the DA's office with this. He's too well connected. There's no way this'll stick."
Castle let out a dry chuckle. "That's the problem with you kids. Always thinking you can do things the easy way." He paused for a moment, and when he spoke again, his tone was colder. "The only way to take down a man like Fisk is to make sure no one can touch him. You've got to hit him hard, hit him fast, and hit him where it hurts most. People he trusts."
Ethan crossed his arms, considering the implications. "You're talking about going after his people. His lieutenants. His enforcers."
Castle didn't flinch, his eyes narrowing. "Exactly. If you want to hit Fisk, you go after the people closest to him. And I know where some of them are."
Peter's voice came out sharp, almost eager. "You've got a plan, then. What do we do?"
Castle stood up, his eyes calculating as he glanced between them both. "You get in, get the info, and get out. But here's the catch—Fisk's people don't like strangers. They don't play nice with anyone. So, when you go in, you make sure you're ready to walk out with blood on your hands."
Ethan's stomach tightened, and he glanced at Peter. It was clear the guy had no qualms about going into the fire. But Ethan wasn't sure how far he was willing to go. He didn't want to become what they were fighting against.
Peter grinned beneath his mask, the familiar, cocky look he wore when things were about to get complicated. "Fine by me. We've got the tools. Let's do this."
Castle's lip curled again, his eyes gleaming with a dark amusement. "Good. Then let's get to work."
The plan was set. The pieces were in place, and now it was just a matter of execution. Ethan felt the familiar weight of anticipation building up inside him, but there was something else—something deeper. He knew this mission was going to be different from anything they'd ever done. If they were going to take down Fisk, it wouldn't be with just a few files and a couple of low-level operations. No, this was going to require more than that.
Peter's usual lightheartedness had taken a backseat to the grimness of their task. The jokes were still there, buried beneath the surface, but the weight of their objective hung heavy over both of them. They were on the precipice of something big—something that could shift the entire landscape of New York's criminal underworld. And with Frank Castle by their side, that meant they were in for a fight that could change them forever.
Castle led the way through the darkened streets, his movements smooth and precise. He wasn't just a guy who got things done—he was a force of nature, honed by years of war and vengeance. Ethan had seen it before, in the way he moved, the way he spoke. Frank Castle didn't ask for forgiveness, and he didn't expect any. His mission was clear: make the world a better place by whatever means necessary, even if that meant tearing it down piece by piece.
Peter walked beside Ethan, his fingers tapping lightly on his thigh. "You think Castle really has all the intel we need?" he asked quietly, keeping his voice low as they approached their target.
Ethan glanced at him, trying to read the underlying tension in his friend's words. "He's the only one who's got the connections to take down Fisk. We don't have a choice."
Peter's lips twisted into a small grin. "Yeah, but Castle's methods? Not exactly the kind of thing we're used to."
Ethan smirked, his gaze focused ahead. "Well, that's why we're here. To make sure things don't get out of hand."
As they neared their destination, a run-down building in the middle of a forgotten part of the city, Ethan felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. The place felt wrong. Dark, oppressive. This wasn't the kind of mission he was used to. The stakes were higher, and they were walking into the lion's den without any backup. It was just them and Castle.
Castle didn't look back, not even once, as he led them into the building. It was a small, nondescript place, but its location was perfect. Out of the way, hidden from the prying eyes of anyone who might have a vested interest in what was about to go down. But to Ethan, it felt like a trap—an elaborate setup, a test to see if they were truly ready for the kind of enemies they were about to face.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick with the smell of old wood and decay. It was clear no one had been here in years, but Castle didn't seem fazed. He moved with an air of familiarity, opening doors and checking rooms with the precision of someone who'd been in situations like this before. He was no stranger to danger. He was danger.
"We're here," Castle said in a low voice, motioning for them to follow. He led them down a narrow hallway until they reached a locked door at the end.
Ethan's pulse quickened. "This is it, isn't it?"
Castle nodded, pulling out a set of keys and unlocking the door with ease. The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit room filled with files, maps, and several computer stations. This was it—the heart of their mission. The information they needed to take down Fisk was hidden here, just out of reach. But it wouldn't stay that way for long.
Peter stepped forward, his eyes scanning the room. "So, what's the plan? We just grab the files and go?"
Castle was already at one of the computers, his fingers flying over the keys as he hacked into the system. "We need more than just the files. We need everything—contacts, locations, codes. The works. Fisk's entire operation is built on secrecy, and it's up to us to tear it all apart."
Ethan nodded, stepping closer to the desk. He knew the mission was more complicated than just grabbing a few files and walking away. They were going to need to disrupt Fisk's entire infrastructure. He only hoped they could pull it off before things got too messy.
Peter, sensing the weight of the situation, cracked a smile. "Guess we're not just walking out of here with a briefcase, huh?"
Ethan couldn't help but chuckle, despite the tension in the air. "Nope. And we definitely won't be leaving through the front door."
Castle paused for a moment, his fingers still flying over the keyboard. "This isn't just about taking down Fisk," he said quietly. "It's about sending a message. No one's safe anymore—not even the people who think they're untouchable."
Ethan's stomach churned at the thought. Castle's methods were ruthless, but the message he was sending was clear. Fisk had been playing a dangerous game, and now he was about to learn the price of his actions.
"Alright," Castle said, straightening up. "I've got what we need. Let's move."
Without another word, he moved toward the exit, and Peter and Ethan quickly followed. They were in, they had the intel, and now it was time to get out before anyone realized they were there.
But as they moved through the hallway, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up again, his instincts screaming at him to be careful. This was far from over. The real challenge had just begun.
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